Press Releases

AUCD joins with many in the disability and civil rights communities to condemn the hate and violence that were on display this weekend at the University of Virginia campus and in Charlottesville, VA. We stand in solidarity with all who have been and may be targeted by these hate groups and call on bipartisan elected officials at every level of government to condemn the racism and hate that we witnessed this weekend. We recognize the important role that we can play as leaders in higher education to help create campus environments where all can learn, all are welcomed, and no one experiences harassment, bullying, or violence because of who they are.

Urges the Senate to Oppose any Bill that would threaten community-based services

Today is the 18th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision which declared that people with disabilities have a right to live and participate in their communities. Unfortunately, on the same day of the anniversary of this landmark decision, the Senate released a health care bill that threatens this right by fundamentally altering the Medicaid program.

"Voters did not ask for cuts to Medicaid and the President promised not to make cuts to Medicaid," said Andrew Imparato, Executive Director of AUCD. "Radically restructuring and cutting Medicaid puts the entire national support system for our community at risk."

Current federal investments do not meet the needs of a growing and aging population of Americans with disabilities. Instead of investing to address this gap, the President's proposed budget represents an aggressive retreat from a decades-long, bipartisan commitment to supporting the health and independence of people with disabilities.

AUCD applauds the introduction of the Raise the Wage Act, which will raise the minimum wage incrementally to $15.00 an hour by 2024. This measure will help many Americans with disabilities move towards self-sufficiency and economic stability.